School Health and Wellness: State and Federal Legislation and Policy | Page 7

School Health and Wellness: State and Federal Legislation and Policy

STATE SCHOOL HEALTH AND WELLNESS LEGISLATION
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION

Senate Bill 15-235: Appropriation Increase for Child Nutrition School Lunch Protection
Program. This amendment increases the amount that may be appropriated for the child nutrition
school lunch protection program and provides free lunch to students in grades K-5 who qualify for
reduced-price meals (C.R.S. 22-54-123.5 (1)).

House Bill 14-1156: Eligibility Age School Lunch Protection Program. This law extended the
age of eligibility for the Child Nutrition School Lunch Protection Program from second to fifth grade.
The program now provides free lunch to students in grades K-5 who qualify for reduced-price meals
(C.R.S. 22-82.9-10).

House Bill 13-1006: Breakfast After the Bell Nutrition Program. Qualifying schools must offer
a free, nutritious breakfast to all students after the first bell. The law became effective in the 20142015 school year in schools where 80 percent or more of students qualify for free or reduced-cost
meals. In the 2015-2016 school year, eligibility will change to schools where 70 percent or more of
students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals. School districts with fewer than 1,000 students are
exempt from the program, but may participate if students meet the above eligibility requirements
for free or reduced-cost meals (C.R.S. 22-82.8-101 et seq.).

Senate Bill 12-068: Prohibiting Trans Fats. Public schools are prohibited from making foods with
industrial trans fats available to students. The legislation includes all food and beverages made
available to students on school grounds during each school day and extended school day, including
foods served or sold in:
• School cafeterias.
• School stores.
• Vending machines.

• Other food service entities on school grounds.

The law excludes the USDA school meal program’s school fundraisers (C.R.S. 22-32-136.3 and C.R.S.
22-30.5-524).

House Bill 11-1069: Colorado’s Physical Activity Law. All public elementary schools must
provide students with an opportunity for a minimum of 600 minutes of physical activity per
month (an average of 30 minutes per school day). Each school district’s board of education and
state charter school institute school must adopt a physical activity policy that ensures each
elementary student’s schedule satisfies the law’s requirements for a minimum opportunity to
engage in physical activity (C.R.S. 22-32-136.5 et seq.). The Colorado Public Health Association
provides a fact sheet with recommendations for increasing physical activity in schools.

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